GARRIOCH SUNDAY: We haven't heard the last of Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets saga

Both sides have moved on since an incident in Tampa on Tuesday night when the club’s top goaltender was pulled by Columbus coach John Tortorella, and Sunday night Bobrovsky is expected to return to the net against the New York Rangers after serving what was effectively a one-game suspension.

The trouble in Tampa started after Bobrovsky, scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, didn’t return to the bench when he was yanked with 8:53 left in the third period after allowing four goals on 19 shots in the Jackets’ 4-0 loss.

Yes, both sides have turned the page and they were all saying the right things publicly Friday, but we haven’t heard the last of the drama between the Jackets and Bobrovsky, not by a long shot.

You really have to wonder now if he will finish the season in Columbus or get dealt before the Feb. 25 trade deadline.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) chases the puck after Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) made a save during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Tampa, Fla.Chris O'Meara /
AP

“He has a contract with us until the end of the year,” general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen told Columbus reporters. “We expect him, if he’s here till the end of the year, and we expect him to do that, to do his best 100 per cent for the organization and his teammates.”

It’s fair to say all options are on the table.

“The problem with trading him is he’s your No. 1 goalie,” a league executive told Postmedia on Friday. “You need him if you’re going to go anywhere in the playoffs. It would be hard to win that trade.”

That’s the issue for Kekäläinen as he ponders what to do in the next six weeks before trades are put to a halt.

The reality is the market for Bobrovsky would be limited unless Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher wants to do a sign-and-trade before the deadline.

Bobrovksy likely will walk away for nothing in the off-season, and that isn’t a great situation for the Jackets, either.

If push comes to shove, Bobrovsky could be packing his bags next month. There’s still plenty of time for this to play out.

Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with teammate left wing Ryan Dzingel (18) during third period NHL hockey in Ottawa, Saturday, January 6, 2018.Fred Chartrand /
THE CANADIAN PRESS

OFF THE GLASS

The Ottawa Senators wrapped up their scouting meetings on the weekend in Florida, and now eyes will be on GM Pierre Dorion. With forwards Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel all set to become UFAs on July 1, teams will be watching closely to see what approach the Senators take.

The belief is the Senators will focus on trying to keep Stone and Duchene, while listening to see what they can get for Dzingel. There is no shortage of interest in Dzingel because teams love players who possess speed and he has been opportunistic around the net with 17 goals heading into Ottawa’s visit to San Jose on Saturday.

The issue is that the 26-year-old Dzingel has gone long stretches without scoring and can’t always be counted on to go to the net. The Senators will get down to business with Stone and Duchene in the next couple of weeks to see if they can get deals done. However, plans are now likely in place on the approach if one, two or all three are moved by the deadline because, knowing Dorion, he likes to be ready for every possible scenario.

The Carolina Hurricanes have assets and are willing to listen. The word is the Hurricanes have received plenty of interest in forward Micheal Ferland, along with defencemen Dougie Hamilton, Justin Faulk and Brett Pesce.

Los Angeles Kings coach Willie Desjardins.David Zalubowski /
AP

RUMOURS DU JOUR

Since the decision to fire coach John Stevens and install interim replacement Willie Desjardins behind the bench hasn’t worked one bit, Kings GM Rob Blake is busy working the phones.

While the Kings don’t want to move star defenceman Drew Doughty, captain and top centre Anze Kopitar or goalie Jonathan Quick, they’ve been labelled by league executives as a team that’s “open for business.”

Yes, it’s easy to float all those players, but it’s not realistic to think most of them will be moved. Most of the forwards have contracts that would be difficult for several teams in the playoff race to take accept or stomach.

Of course, Bobrovksy isn’t the Jackets’ only UFA. The club also has to deal with forward Artemi Panarin. Neither player has shown much inclination to sign with the club, and there is no shortage of talk of where they may end up. You have to wonder if they’re a package deal if Panarin and Bobrovksy may end up in Florida. That rumour is out there. An interesting situation to watch.

St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong has been trying to make changes, but he’s getting a lot of heat internally. The decision to fire coach Mike Yeo and hire Craig Berube as an interim replacement hasn’t had the desired effect. There is a belief in NHL circles Armstrong is in trouble, and he’ll try to make changes at the deadline.

A contract negotiation to watch: Restricted free agent forward Mikko Rantanen and the Avalanche. He’s coming out of an entry-level deal and is having another strong season with 20 goals and 48 points going into his team’s game Saturday in Montreal.

Our heart goes out to all those impacted by the tragic bus crash at Westboro Station Friday afternoon.

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